Sri Lanka to launch public buses for ‘females only’ to end abuse

Colombo, March 12 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka’s Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry, on Tuesday said that the government would soon launch public buses for ‘females only’ in order to curb the rising complaints of sexual harassment on public transport.

The Ministry said the buses would be launched within the coming two weeks and initially at least 25 to 30 buses would be put on the roads by the state owned Sri Lanka Transport Board.

The Ministry said that while the program would initially be launched in capital Colombo, it would be extended to other parts of the island later this year.

The objective of this program is to reduce the abusive environment and the sexual abuse women face in the public transport system, the Ministry said.

The Ministry, last week, launched special “all female compartments” in passenger trains travelling throughout the island as well in order to ensure the safety of female passengers.

The Ministry said special security officers would be deployed in each compartment to prevent any unruly behavior.

The “all women compartments” would also help reduce overcrowding in trains.

Sri Lanka has recently faced a rise in women facing sexual harassment on public transportation, according to the

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In a recent report by the UNFPA, at least 90 percent of women have faced harassment on trains and buses and incidents of sexual harassment is on the rise because victims refuse to speak up and opt to suffer in silence.

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